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Cautious cuddling? England to OK hugs as lockdown eases

50 Comments
By PAN PYLAS

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50 Comments
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My family, friends and I have been ignoring the Covid overlords from the start and have been hugging each other this whole time.

You never struck me as the hugging type.

12 ( +15 / -3 )

How was the hugging ban enforced?

As far as I'm aware, it wasn't. I'm not even sure there was ever a legal requirement, just a guideline.

11 ( +11 / -0 )

It was a guideline. Social distancing, ie keeping at least a metre apart, obviously means no hugging with anyone outside your household or bubble. I haven’t hugged my siblings or friends yet, and I have only been able to meet them outside. Next week we can meet indoors, including inside the pub and not outside, and I can finally give them a cuddle. It’s overwhelming.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

My family, friends and I have been ignoring the Covid overlords from the start and have been hugging each other this whole time.

You never struck me as the hugging type.

Brilliant!!!

9 ( +10 / -1 )

England putting Japan to shame.

UK US SK Taiwan OZ NZ take your pick

9 ( +9 / -0 )

England putting Japan to shame.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

@Wolfpack

If you think the Democrats (who are center-right at best, if we are being generous) are "left" I shudder to think what you would think of us that are actually left-leaning.

What would you consider actually conservative, if not the Conservative Party?

6 ( +6 / -0 )

My family, friends and I have been ignoring the Covid overlords from the start and have been hugging each other this whole time.

For a whole year? You must all be quite sweaty.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

"Cautious" cuddling, as advice from a Johnson who's fathered around 7 kids is comedy gold.

At today’s press conference Johnson was asked who he’d be cuddling first. He declined to answer.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Scientists describing aspects of hugging has been one of many bizarre elements of this. I guess they don't get out much and consider the outside world to be one big lab full of compliant test subjects.

Locally, kids haven't behaved differently throughout lockdown. They have obeyed the rules where they have had to in controlled environments (shops, public transport, schools) and ignored them everywhere else. The same has been true for most people with regard to social distancing, which is almost as difficult to police as hugging. The general use of masks, which could have been policed, has been ignored by the British government, probably explaining the high death toll.

As most vulnerable people have been vaccinated, the death stats are collapsing to sub-flu levels. If the virus is no longer causing severe health problems, any ramp up in cases now would just see folk being vaccinated by actually having Covid, rather than a jab. As there are potential health risks for some, this is not an advisable option, but with even less mask use, is likely how it will play out.

It will be interesting to see if Covid is wiped out by the increasing levels of vaccination or just downgrades in severity to the point where we live with it, like so many other bugs. Flu kills loads of people each year. We just jab the vulnerable and get on with life.

The variants may increase over time, so rapid, global vaccination is important. That includes North Korea, incidentally. It is not an option to leave anywhere unvaccinated simply because it is politically inconvenient.

Covid is a virus not a magic spell or curse. It will behave like a virus, with the usual variables. It's not the first that humanity has encountered, and it won't be the last. Some of our responses to it have been daft. We should learn from this and do it better next time. We don't need to wreck entire sectors of the economy. Social distancing doesn't work in practice, but we do need to wear masks. We need to be informed by science, but accept that our knowledge changes over time, and that the world is not a lab, so advice on levels of hugging really isn't helpful. Maybe more input from anthropologists and psychologists next time, who are more aware of how people behave. Responding differently on different sides of newly erected borders is stupid and undermines the credibility of those in charge. Large religious events such as those in India were not acceptable just because they were faith-related or because the PM was a religious nationalist. If you test negative, using a reliable test, you are no threat to anyone. If the virus exists on two sides of a national border, blocking the border is pointless and makes no sense. Exploiting the Covid response for political reasons also undermines credibility. All countries need emergency protocols for faster vaccine roll-outs (notably Japan). We need far more vaccine production labs as there have been severe bottlenecks, allowing more variants to develop. Either Big Pharma comply or their IP should be switched to an open licence on the grounds of (pan-)national security. Our globalised supply chains are vital - they should not be blocked for political reasons. The movement of people and goods should not be used as a political weapon.

Governments were not trusted during the pandemic with good reason. If they want to be trusted next time, the solution is not to censor all dissenting voices, but for politicians to become more trustworthy and transparent. Honest politicians may be a tougher ask than devising working vaccines.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

One small step at a time will yield a better, healthier future.

My family, friends and I have been ignoring the Covid overlords from the start and have been hugging each other this whole time.

So, you live in the UK now?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

"Cautious" cuddling, as advice from a Johnson who's fathered around 7 kids is comedy gold.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

I see this headline..and then instantly know the ridiculous comments that will be posted. Boris haters -Rule haters etc. Fact is, its worked. UK on course for the end of social distancing by 21st June and has effectively achieved herd immunity. Los Angeles in course too. Sadly, the bible bashers and rabid anti-vaxxers will prevent this in the US as a whole.

Two sensible comments above - from @Luddite and @zichi.

Vaccines working - THAT is putting Japan to complete shame.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Never been keen on hugging or handshakes prior to covid. Afterwards I was hoping one of the lasting benefits of covid was they'd stay uncommon. Sure, I can personally avoid them but there is always an awkward moment when somebody goes in for a handshake and you have to explain.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

For the past year I have been so happy living in Japan.

Unfortunately the government have blown the vaccine big time,

Summer in the uk will be a lot better than Summer in Japan, even factoring in the weather.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Somehow I don't think Japan has to worry about this particular problem.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Most people I know work from home which is a type of quarantine and vaccines have been rolled out sufficiently to reduce infections so hugging is back

in vogue in the UK...

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Joy for Norfolk!

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Did English men ever hug to begin with?

2 ( +8 / -6 )

For what it's worth, I used to quite like and respect Boris. But not anymore.

Evidence that it is never too late.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

The Stasi, Orwell, Maosism, overlords, politicians and their owners.

Garden variety rightwing/conspiracy theory stuff.

Anyway, looks like a good summer in the UK under the Tories. The poor might be able to go to a foodbank without a mask.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

These dumb rules have been ignored by many.

I wonder if that's why the UK has one of the worst Covid infection and death rates in Europe.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Express sisterMay 11  06:10 pm JST

Partly for getting Brexit through, and partly for mentoring teenagers when he did a gap year in Australia back in the 80s. Found out a while ago that he'd been a good supporter for kids at the school where he was an assistant, coincidentally in the same year a family friend was there.

The two things you respect Johnson for are economically and diplomatically knee-capping his country and going on holiday forty years ago?

That';s your opinion and you're entitled to it. But I disagree with you.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@Gooch - There. You just proved my point.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

For what it's worth, I used to quite like and respect Boris.

I’ve heard of finding him amusing, a better choice than Corbyn, and even liking him, but ‘respecting’ Boris Johnson is a new one on me.

What exactly did you respect?

0 ( +3 / -3 )

For some people, sex was banned when they lived in separate households.

Only for those with multiple partners in multiple households (hmmm, Johnson perhaps). Single partner couples could form an "extended family" arrangement and visit each others' houses.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Partly for getting Brexit through, and partly for mentoring teenagers when he did a gap year in Australia back in the 80s. Found out a while ago that he'd been a good supporter for kids at the school where he was an assistant, coincidentally in the same year a family friend was there.

The two things you respect Johnson for are economically and diplomatically knee-capping his country and going on holiday forty years ago?

0 ( +3 / -3 )

They need Lord Boris nodding to hug? LOL

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Google "Covid violation arrests UK" and you'll find some ineteresting interactions with police and the citizen Covid Stasi with the citizens. Orwell meant 1984 to be a novel not a blue print.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

@Gooch. Whatever. Pleased that you are such a responsible and upstanding member of the community.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

That';s your opinion and you're entitled to it. But I disagree with you.

I'm asking you for your opinion. Can you confirm that the two things you respect Johnson for are economically and diplomatically knee-capping his country and going on holiday forty years ago?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

theResidentToday  03:18 pm JST

@Gooch. Whatever. Pleased that you are such a responsible and upstanding member of the community.

For what it's worth, I used to quite like and respect Boris. But not anymore.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

These politicians and their owners must be laughing their noggins off behind closed doors. It's now safe to hug!

Back a couple weeks ago I saw a video of Health Secretary Matt Hancock walking to the door of 10 Downing St with a mask on, but the camera caught him whipping it off as soon as he stepped inside thinking the cameras were off him, while the door was still party open.

More evidence that this is for show, folks. One rule for them...

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

JimizoToday  04:06 pm JST

For what it's worth, I used to quite like and respect Boris.

I’ve heard of finding him amusing, a better choice than Corbyn, and even liking him, but ‘respecting’ Boris Johnson is a new one on me. 

What exactly did you respect?

Partly for getting Brexit through, and partly for mentoring teenagers when he did a gap year in Australia back in the 80s. Found out a while ago that he'd been a good supporter for kids at the school where he was an assistant, coincidentally in the same year a family friend was there.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Big Brother allows hugging in England. How nice of him.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

heResidentToday  10:56 am JST

@Gooch - There. You just proved my point.

You're going to have to try harder than that :-)

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

@Gooch: Where exactly did I say that I 'respect' Boris Johnson. My initial post was just a just a correct observation of what to expect when I clicked on the link. Which was correct, and, you, have bitten like a big old fish.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Hae?

It was forbidden in England to hug your friends and even your family???

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

theResidentToday  09:19 am JST

I see this headline..and then instantly know the ridiculous comments that will be posted. Boris haters -Rule haters etc.

Boris-haters and rule-haters? Ha! Maybe if Boris and his lot were following the same rules as they were imposing on others you might have an argument.

-5 ( +5 / -10 )

These dumb rules have been ignored by many.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

How about cottaging? Tory’s seem to love it.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

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